Sell In Portland, Buy In Washington—One Coordinated Timeline

Thinking about moving across the Columbia and wondering how to line up two closings without a gap or scramble? You are not alone. Coordinating a Portland sale with a Clark County purchase takes a clear plan, tight dates, and one point of contact who understands both states. In this guide, you will learn the best financing paths, how to time possession, and the exact steps to sync both contracts. Let’s dive in.

Why one coordinated plan matters

You are working across two states with different contracts, timelines, and licensing rules. A single agent who is licensed in Oregon and Washington can prepare state-specific agreements and align every critical date while following each state’s rules. For background on licensing and consumer protections, review the Oregon Real Estate Agency’s guidance and the Washington State Department of Licensing’s real estate pages.

Escrow and title practices are similar in both states, but county recording cutoffs and wiring windows can vary. Multnomah County and Clark County each set local procedures that affect when deeds record and funds release. If you are curious about specifics, check the Multnomah County official site and the Clark County website for recording and property details.

Taxes and closing costs differ too. Washington charges a Real Estate Excise Tax when a property is sold in Washington, and moving states can change your future property tax profile. It is smart to speak with a tax professional about your situation and review Washington’s REET information from the Department of Revenue.

Choose your financing path

Sale contingency on your purchase

You make an offer in Clark County that is contingent on selling your Portland home. The upside is lower short-term cost and no bridge loan. The tradeoff is competitiveness, since contingent offers can be less attractive in a tight market. Your agent should set clear contingency removal dates that land well before the Clark County closing.

Buy first with a bridge loan or HELOC

You purchase in Washington before your Portland home sells using a bridge loan, HELOC, or short-term second mortgage. This makes a stronger offer with no sale contingency. The tradeoff is higher carrying cost and qualification for multiple debts. For neutral guidance on these products, review the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s resources on mortgages, bridge loans, and HELOCs.

Simultaneous closings on one day

You close your Portland sale in the morning and your Clark County purchase in the afternoon, with sale proceeds wired to the purchase escrow. This gives minimal overlap and keeps your move tight. It requires careful lender coordination, early closing disclosures, wire timing checks, and escrow holdback language in case one side slips.

Temporary seller financing from the seller

In select cases, the Washington seller may agree to temporary financing so you can close without a bank bridge loan. This is uncommon and requires legal review and exact terms. If considered, it should be documented with clear repayment and security provisions.

Possession timing and rent-backs

What a rent-back is

A rent-back lets you remain in your Portland home for an agreed time after closing under a written post-possession agreement. Typical short stays range from a few days up to about 60 days, subject to negotiation and lender rules. This can give you time to close in Clark County, schedule movers, and avoid storage.

What to include in writing

Use a written agreement that covers dates, rent, any deposit, utilities, insurance, and holdover remedies. Spell out move-out condition, a walk-through process, and security deposit return timing. Many parties use a daily rent equal to a prorated monthly amount or a market-based rate.

Lender and insurance check

Some lenders limit the length of post-closing occupancy, so clear it with the buyer’s lender before signing. Confirm insurance coverage for both sides during the rent-back. For best practices and risk tips, see the National Association of REALTORS resources on post-possession agreements.

Contingencies to sync on both contracts

Your goal is to keep every key date aligned so you avoid last-minute surprises. The main items to coordinate include:

• Home sale contingency on your Washington purchase with a firm date to remove it well before the purchase closing.
• Financing contingency with a clear commitment deadline and a brief cure period if the lender needs time.
• Appraisal contingency with time to address delays or a low value outcome.
• Inspection contingency periods that start fast and finish with time to negotiate repairs or credits.

Mirror the contingency windows on both sides and build a small buffer around typical lender timelines, which are often 30 to 45 days from acceptance.

Same-day closing logistics

If you want the least disruption, plan your same-day flow early. Here is what to confirm:

• Choose escrow and title companies on each side that can coordinate conditional funding and same-day wires.
• Verify bank wire cutoffs and county recording hours for Multnomah County and Clark County.
• Obtain payoff demands for your Portland mortgage early and confirm closing statements in advance.
• Add language that defines who pays costs if one side fails to close and whether you may extend or terminate without penalty.

Sample timelines that work

Scenario A: Sell first, then buy with sale contingency

• Day −30: List your Portland home and secure preapproval for the Clark County purchase.
• Day 0: Accept an offer on your Portland home with a 30-day target to close.
• Day +7: Make a sale-contingent offer in Clark County, with a firm date to remove the contingency that is at least a week before purchase closing.
• Day +30: Close the Portland sale and use proceeds for your Washington purchase.
• Day +31 to +35: Close the Washington purchase. Same-day can work if escrow is aligned.

Best for lowering financial risk, but your contingent offer may need stronger terms to be accepted.

Scenario B: Buy first with a bridge loan or HELOC

• Day −30: Get preapproved and secure bridge or HELOC options with written fee estimates.
• Day 0: Make a non-contingent offer in Clark County with a 30 to 45 day closing.
• Day +45: Close the Washington purchase, then sell your Portland home and pay down or retire the bridge financing.

Best for competitiveness, with higher carrying costs until your sale closes.

Scenario C: Same-day closings

• Day −45: List your Portland home, get preapproved, and align both escrow teams and your lender.
• Day 0: Set the same target closing date in both contracts with conditional funding instructions.
• Day +X: Close Portland in the morning, wire proceeds, then close your Washington purchase in the afternoon.

Best for minimal overlap. Build a contract backstop for delays.

Your step-by-step checklist

• Get preapproved for the Washington purchase before you list in Portland.
• Discuss bridge or HELOC options with your lender and request written cost estimates.
• Choose a dual-licensed agent who works both sides of the river and identifies escrow partners that operate in both markets.
• Decide your ideal rent-back length and terms in advance so you can negotiate them into your Portland sale.
• Prepare disclosures and quick repairs to speed inspections on both properties.
• Align financing, inspection, appraisal, and sale contingency deadlines across both contracts.
• Confirm rate-lock length and any extension fees with your lender.
• Double-check payoff demands, wire cutoffs, and county recording hours.
• Put any post-possession agreement in writing and clear it with the buyer’s lender and title.

Local resources you can trust

• For county recording steps and timelines, visit the Multnomah County official site and the Clark County website.
• For Washington’s Real Estate Excise Tax details, review the Washington Department of Revenue’s REET information.
• For licensing and consumer guidance, see the Oregon Real Estate Agency and the Washington State Department of Licensing.
• For neutral mortgage and HELOC insights, use the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
• For rent-back and post-possession best practices, review the National Association of REALTORS resources.

Ready to map your cross-river move with one coordinated timeline and fewer surprises? Connect with Debra Penton-Clark for a start-to-finish plan that fits your goals. Request a free home valuation & staging consultation.

FAQs

How do I coordinate selling in Portland and buying in Washington at the same time?

• Use one dual-licensed agent to align both contracts, match contingency dates, and coordinate escrow, wires, and county recording windows.

What are my financing options if I need to buy in Clark County before my Portland sale closes?

• Consider a bridge loan or HELOC to buy first, then pay it down after your sale; review neutral guidance from the CFPB and get written cost estimates.

Can I close both transactions on the same day across state lines?

• Yes, if escrow and lenders coordinate funding and wires; close the Portland sale first, then wire proceeds to the Washington purchase and close later that day.

How does a rent-back work when I sell my Portland home?

• You close, then remain for a short agreed period under a written post-possession agreement that covers rent, deposits, insurance, utilities, and holdover terms.

Will Washington’s Real Estate Excise Tax affect my move if I am buying there?

• REET applies when selling property in Washington; it does not apply to buyers, though future taxes and costs can change, so discuss your plan with a tax professional.

How long does a typical mortgage closing take for the purchase side?

• Many conventional loans close in about 30 to 45 days from acceptance, so build buffers for appraisal, inspections, and any lender conditions.

What happens if my Portland sale is delayed and I am under contract in Washington?

• Your contracts should include remedies such as a short extension, contingency protection, or an escrow holdback to reduce risk if timing slips.